ANTIQUE – The provincial board has requested the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique to intensify its awareness campaign against the health hazards of e-cigarettes.
“Vape or e-cigarette companies have strategically targeted the youth and turned into manufacturing mint and fruit-flavored vape juices,” said Board Member Rony Molina.
Republic Act 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, does not per se prohibit e-cigarettes, he added. It only regulates the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and novel tobacco products.
“Be reminded that educational institutions play a vital and active role in protecting students and molding them into better versions of themselves,” Molina said.
Dr. Hellarose Mendoza-Elisterio of the Antique Medical Society and of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians-Northwest Panay Chapter said electronic cigarettes or vaping, like tobacco smoking, could cause cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and even death.
“Vaping is enticing because it has several flavors and a trendy look, but it could cause addiction,” she said.
Most of those into tobacco smoking started vaping at an early age. (PNA)/PN
